Government buys six planes to revive Uganda Airlines following its liquidation nearly two decades ago

david nganga

May 17, 2018 3:00 PM

The national carrier is expected to return to the skies this November.

Ugandas government has made an initial cash deposit of approximately $1.2m (Shs4.43b) for the purchase of six planes for Uganda Airlines in the hopes of reviving the national carrier following its liquidation in 2001.

Works and Transport minister Monica Azuba-Ntege on Wednesday said they expect to buy four Bombardier CRJ900 passenger jets and two wide-body A330-200 aircraft.

“All this has gone through careful studies and was approved by Cabinet. The Uganda National Airline Company has been registered, an interim board and management appointed and its business plan also approved by Cabinet,” she said.

Catering

Ms Azuba said the airline will engage ground handling business and catering services among other tasks in a bid to make money.

“The plan is to break even in four to five years," the minister said.

Uganda liquidated its former debt ridden national carrier in 2001 and the operator code QU was sold to a private carrier – East African Airlines- that folded in 2003

david nganga